Blessed Trinity

by Vanessa Davis Griggs

  Pastor Landris walked into the room of about twenty-five people.

  “Good afternoon,” he said.

  Regina nudged Hope. “Look! It’s him. Up close and personal,” she said with a whisper as she grinned from ear to ear.

  “I’m Pastor Landris. I wanted to thank you for your desire to connect with this ministry. Trust me—we don’t take your presence today lightly. I won’t hold you too long, but we believe in giving information. I don’t think you should join anything without knowing what that group believes, as well as its overall vision. Therefore…”

  “Here it comes,” Regina whispered to Hope, who was trying hard to listen to Pastor Landris. “He’ll probably say twenty six-week classes.”

  “We offer a two-hour new member’s class to explain our approach and give you an opportunity to ask questions or voice concerns. We’ve also created a new member’s manual that’s yours to keep. It provides you with all the information you should need about our long-range plans. You’ll find out what we believe as a body, as well as information about staffing and various procedures which, I must admit, are subject to—and will likely—change. Many of the questions you have about Followers of Jesus Faith Worship Center should be addressed in this manual.”

  A woman began passing out white three-ring binders.

  “These manuals are yours to keep. We provide two different opportunities for you to attend the class. There is one on Sunday mornings prior to second service, and one on Wednesday nights when the rest of us are in Bible study. Should either of these times be difficult for you, please let Sherry Mason here know…”

  Sherry waved her hand as she continued handing out manuals.

  “…and we’ll work with you. Our goal is not to make this a burden, but merely to enlighten you.” Pastor Landris rolled his shoulders as though he were dumping a load off his back. “En-LIGHT-en you, if you will.”

  Everybody laughed. There were a few more moments of business discussion before Pastor Landris concluded.

  After Pastor Landris left, people were talking among themselves. Regina turned to Hope. “He’s a doll. I like him. He’s so down to earth, not all full of himself like a lot of these preachers seem to be these days. Can you believe he actually came in here to talk to us himself? Most of them send their first-line lieutenants or an assistant.”

  “That was nice,” Hope said, agreeing.

  “Nice, nothing. That was genuine. I can’t wait to become a member here. And we don’t have to attend but one class for two hours and we’re in! How smart and sensitive to others is this? They gave us this book to tell us all we need to know. I’m telling you, Hope, these people have their stuff together. I can tell you now—this church is going to be mega-mega. I’m talking double-mega.”

  Someone tapped Hope on her shoulder. She turned around.

  “Johnnie Mae,” Hope said with delight as she stood up and turned toward her.

  “We’re so excited to have you, ” Johnnie Mae said as she hugged Hope.

  Hope smiled and hugged her back. “Thank you, so much. Thank you.”

  Johnnie Mae continued working the room, speaking to and hugging each person as she conveyed how glad she was to see them.

  Hope started walking out of the room. She looked back at everybody chatting and laughing, then casually strolled out.

  Chapter 17

  These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

  (Hebrews 11:13)

  “‘Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.’” Thomas Landris spoke loud and with enormous confidence as he read from his Bible.

  Faith rushed in. She was so late. This was her second visit—she wasn’t a member, so she wasn’t as upset about missing the entire praise and worship segment of the service as those who knew what doing that truly meant.

  She hadn’t heard Pastor Landris teach on the importance of praise and worship to a service. “Regardless of what we might think we’re giving God,” Pastor Landris would say, “the only thing we can truly ever give God is praise and worship. Everything else belongs to Him anyway. Yes, you can praise Him in the comfort of your home, and you should. You don’t have to be in a building with others for God to receive it. But the sweet aroma of praise that blesses Him when we come together—oh, it’s wonderful.”

  She hadn’t heard Pastor Landris say that our attitude matters to God. And even though God knows our hearts, He also knows when we can do better and don’t. Pastor Landris would point out when people are consistently late and miss praise and worship service or have the wrong attitude, God sees that. “It’s almost like we’re saying, ‘Here, God! You’d just better be glad I even came or did anything at all. I don’t have to do anything, you know.’ Do we consider what God really thinks regarding our attitudes?”

  But for now, Faith had not heard any of this. She was just pleased she’d gotten there by the time she did.

  Faith didn’t have a problem with money and the church like some folks. She felt no guilt in letting the collection plate pass her by. So she didn’t come late to deliberately miss that portion of the service like she knew some folks were prone to do.

  Hope had made her late. They had argued over who would use the vehicle today.

  Faith won, but she never stepped out of the house without her makeup and being dressed to bless. So she was late, but she looked good. She could tell that much from the many glances as she strutted in. And had she just been late and sat close to the back, that might have been fine.

  Instead, she walked all the way to the front to sit next to Sister Bivens. She knew there was one seat there due to the good sister’s tendency to sit her stuff on the chair next to her. Sister Bivens wasn’t supposed to do that, but nobody ever challenged her. Faith sauntered right up to the front, stood and waited for Sister Bivens to take her sweet time to move the large purse, along with a notebook she likely never wrote a word in, onto the floor. Faith didn’t care how long it took her, but she was sitting in that seat today.

  As Faith sat down, she noticed Pastor Landris was not speaking yet. But another man, a bit older than Pastor Landris, was saying something about faith and how God formed the worlds. He was just as good-looking as Pastor Landris, if not more so.

  She later learned that he and three other men had been chosen to speak on any topic they desired. This man had chosen to speak on faith and he was reading what he called “The Faith Hall of Fame” to inspire others as he’d been inspired by this list.

  “Abel offered a more excellent sacrifice unto God,” the man said. “Enoch was translated that he should not see death. Noah prepared an ark and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. Abraham was called to leave one place to go to another he didn’t know. By faith Sara received strength to conceive and had a child when she was well past childbearing age, just because she judged God, who had promised her this, to be faithful. By faith Abraham offered up his only begotten son Isaac, of whom it was said in him his seed would be called. By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. By faith a dying Jacob, leaning upon the top of his staff, blessed both the sons of Joseph.”

  Faith listened and read the scriptures this man sometimes only merely paraphrased out of Hebrews Chapter 11.

  He had been quite good—almost as impressive as Pastor Landris during the five minutes he spoke. She wasn’t sure if he could ever sustain a thirty-to-forty-minute talk, but she had to give him credit for holding her attention for five.

  The man sat down next to a tall, dark-skinned woman with long dreadlocks. Sapphire. Faith had met her the first time she came to the church. Sapphire had made an effort to seek her out and welcome her, as well as let her know she hoped she’d come again soon. Faith hadn’t been so receptive to Sapphire, though. First of all, she was
n’t crazy about hair like that on women. Dreadlocks. She didn’t understand why, in 2003, women especially were still sporting that hairdo. Faith concluded, from the way the two of them sat next to each other, that he and Sapphire must be a couple.

  Pastor Landris stood and complimented all five men on a job well done. He called out their names and had them stand. “And last my brother, Thomas Landris, who just recited the list of some of the inductees into ‘The Hall of Faith.’ I’m a witness—my brother has come a long way. Don’t tell me what God can’t do.”

  Thomas Landris, Faith thought. Good looks, intelligence, a passion for God, and fine taste in wardrobe must run in the family.

  She smiled, and after the service made a special effort to go speak to Sapphire and Brother Thomas Landris.

  “That was an inspiring message,” Faith said. “You made me look at faith in a whole new light. It’s interesting that you were moved to speak about faith. My name happens to be Faith. And I just happened to get here just in time to catch you.” Faith looked at Sapphire and smiled. “I’m sure you must be so proud of your husband.”

  Sapphire moved a little closer to Thomas’s arm. “I am proud of Thomas, but he’s not my husband.”

  “Well, then surely you two must be engaged?”

  Sapphire smiled. “No, just dating. Getting to know each other better.”

  “Sapphire, I just wanted to come say hello to you,” Faith said. “You made me feel so welcome when I was here last time.”

  “So your sister Hope didn’t come with you today?” Sapphire asked.

  “Oh, no. We had a family situation come up, and one of us had to stay. Unfortunately for her, she lost out this go-round. But I am purchasing today’s tape for her. It’s the least I can do.”

  “Please tell her I asked about her, will you? Your sister is so sweet.”

  “Of course.” Faith gave her a quick smile. “Again to you, Brother Thomas, I truly, truly enjoyed your presentation.” She shook his hand. “Ta-ta, all. I hope to see you both again soon.”

  Faith couldn’t help but laugh at that herself. I…Hope.

  Chapter 18

  But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

  (Romans 8:23)

  Hope went to church for three Sundays. Faith could see Hope changing, getting stronger, and beginning to act as though she thought she could keep her in check. Hope would refuse to tell Faith anything when she questioned her. She was coming out of her shell more after each visit. That was when Faith decided to go and investigate what kind of brainwashing cult activity was going on in that place. She was convinced it had to be a mind thing—Hope didn’t normally have a lot of confidence and never had she been defiant. She was reading the Bible and writing in a purple journal who she was because of Christ, and what she could walk in and was entitled to as a child of God.

  Faith had only attended a few times. In September—shortly after learning Hope had become a member—she decided it was in their best interest for her to also join.

  Faith and the others who’d gone to the altar, conveying a desire for church membership, were taken to a conference room. Initially, the group was canvassed to see who needed to go in a separate room to receive salvation first. After that, they were told they’d be given instructions on how to officially become members. Faith was aware some churches were beginning to mirror exclusive social clubs when it came to membership. She couldn’t help but wonder had people forgotten this was church. Faith could recall when people were grateful anyone even wanted to join the church, let alone make it more difficult to do it. Back then, coming forward was something to shout about. Now there were all kinds of rules and regulations about what someone interested in joining the church had to do. And for most folks, there was no reason to even think about being a leader. In order to be in leadership, most churches made it mandatory leaders tithe. She’d overheard some people talking at work about how the leaders in their church were called in on a regular basis to testify before the pastor whether or not they tithed. If they didn’t, they got kicked out of their positions.

  The pastor said if they were leaders and weren’t leading their people by their own example—going above and beyond—they couldn’t be leaders. They were “sat down” until they came up to the standard that he himself was setting by giving beyond the tenth. Most of the people in the church saw this; they knew what was going on (enough for it to be discussed outside the church doors).

  Pastor Landris came in and talked to the prospective members, thanking everyone for their interest in wanting to become a “supplying joint” to this body called Followers of Jesus Faith Worship Center. Joint nothing, Faith thought. If I’m part of a body, I’m a major part!

  Faith could see Pastor Landris had a lot going in his favor. He had good looks, charm, and he seemed sincere about his work and his commitment to God. She found that overwhelmingly appealing. His wife wasn’t there. Faith overheard a few people talking about her after the meeting adjourned.

  “They say his wife usually comes in and speaks to everyone after he finishes,” a young woman with short-cut, layered hair said. “But I heard she’s out of town this week on a book tour. You know she’s a famous author.”

  “I didn’t know that,” another woman said.

  She looks like Olive Oyl—Popeye the sailor man’s love interest, Faith thought. She couldn’t help but notice how skinny she was. Faith was certain not even a dog would want that bone.

  Faith casually walked over to the two of them. “Hi. I’m Faith Alexandria Morrell.” She held out a limp hand.

  “Hi, Faith,” the young woman with the short hair said, shaking Faith’s fingers. “My name is Patrice Stephens.”

  “And I’m Olivia,” the woman Faith thought resembled Olive Oyl said as she forced Faith’s whole hand into hers instead of just taking her offered fingers. Faith couldn’t help but smirk at the irony of the name Olivia and Olive Oyl.

  “Patrice, Olivia,” Faith said, smiling at them both. “I heard you guys talking about Mrs. Landris. So she’s an author? A for-real author or just somebody who puts a book out herself that probably nobody except family and friends read?”

  “No, she’s pretty big. She has a top publisher. I’m surprised you haven’t heard of her. She’s been on radio, television, in the newspaper. Of course, she goes by Johnnie Mae Taylor instead of Landris.”

  “Johnnie Mae Taylor?” Faith asked, then frowned. “You mean she doesn’t use her husband’s name at all?” Now there’s a marriage in trouble or headed for trouble if I ever saw one.

  “No. But what difference does that make?” Olivia said.

  “None, I suppose. I just wonder what it is about women who don’t want to be associated with their spouses. Pastor Landris seems like a wonderful man. At least from what I’ve heard and seen so far. I would be honored, if it were me, to sport his last name. I’m excited about just becoming a member here, in fact. He has absolutely impressed me. I would think his wife would be ecstatic to share his last name.”

  Patrice laughed. “You really have strong opinions about this, don’t you?”

  Is she laughing at me? Faith hoped not. She wasn’t Hope or Charity. “Excuse me. I see someone interesting I’d like to chat with,” she said and turned up her nose at both of them as she strutted away. She was certain she’d left them gawking. Eat your hearts out, ladies. What I’m wearing makes you two look like hoi polloi, in lay terms—peasants. Faith walked over to another group of, quite frankly what she viewed, better-looking people—two women and two men. She made it her business to talk longer with them and laugh loudly. Miss Patrice and Miss Olive Oyl, I hope you can see just how boring the two of you really are.

  Faith was curious about Pastor Landris’s wife. She wondered how she could leave her husband to handle the Lord’s work like this while she was off doing some book tour or something. Since she’d never heard of her (not that she was i
nto reading…that was intellectual Hope’s and brainy Charity’s thing), Faith contended she couldn’t be that famous. She was determined to see what Johnnie Mae Taylor could have possibly written.

  She searched her out on the Internet as soon as she arrived home from church, kicking off her too-tight shoes en-route to the computer in the den. After putting Johnnie Mae Taylor’s full name in Google, Faith saw there were over 18,000 hits, just on her name alone!

  Now Faith couldn’t wait to meet her.

  She finally got her chance in October during the covenant ceremony (another term for the-right-hand-of-fellowship), but they didn’t get a chance to talk much. Right before the two embraced, Faith told her who she was, and that she was Hope’s twin. Johnnie Mae commented on how she’d taken a double-look, thinking she was Hope. The next person in line was rushing Faith so she could get her hug time with the pastor’s wife.

  That was fine. Faith moved on. She knew her time would come again soon.

  The church now held two Sunday morning services. Hope attended first service, and she was determined to be an active member. Faith, left waiting for Hope’s return of their only means of transportation, usually attended the second service. Yet, unlike Hope, Faith wasn’t planning on joining any auxiliaries or committees until she knew the members a lot better. She concluded that Pastor Landris’s wife—the infamous Mrs. Johnnie Mae Taylor Landris—would be her best route to the truth about this newly formed ministry.

  Pastor Landris seemed to be the perfect husband, father-figure, pastor, brother, son, and friend. However, if anyone would know the real deal behind the man, in Faith’s opinion, Johnnie Mae would. Faith had determined the two of them were going to become fast friends. It was obvious Johnnie Mae could use some help. And Faith—different from all the other conniving women who may have had their eyes on Pastor Landris—would find a way to make herself indispensable to the present Mrs. Landris.